Djokovic and Kyrgios join forces to raise the curtain on new tennis season

The legendary Serb intends to battle Father Time with an unlikely doubles partner and an even unlikelier coach

Novak Djokovic did not waste any time in producing a moment of magic. Flitting left of the tramlines in the first set of his 21st season as a professional, he bent a backhand slice between the net post and umpire’s chair for a spectacular, untouchable winner. It was the type of athleticism, resourcefulness and shotmaking that has made him the most successful player of all time.

As a full, ebullient crowd under the lights at the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane responded, Djokovic’s celebration was even more unusual than the shot: the Serb sprinted across the court to embrace none other than Nick Kyrgios. For a long time, Djokovic and Kyrgios were only mentioned together when the Australian had fired another public, unprovoked insult towards him, yet here they stood as doubles partners on the same side of the net.

Topics

NASCAR: Zane Smith joins Front Row Motorsports ahead of 2025 season

Front Row purchased a charter for a third car from now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing before filing an antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR.
Yahoo Sports - 9m
Questions raised by Biden comments about New Orleans attacker

President Biden said Wednesday that the New Orleans truck attacker had posted videos online that showed ties to ISIS, but so far those videos haven't surfaced publicly. CBS News congressional ...
CBS News - 1h
Djokovic and Sabalenka through to Brisbane quarters

Novak Djokovic will face Reilly Opelka for the first time after reaching the Brisbane International quarter-finals.
Yahoo Sports - 3h
New Orleans raises specter of persistent ISIS threat

The suspect in the attack in New Orleans had an ISIS flag in his truck. The case underscores the threat still posed by ISIS.
NBC News - 14h
Djokovic beats Monfils to reach Brisbane quarters

Novak Djokovic will face Reilly Opelka for the first time after reaching the Brisbane International quarter-finals.
BBC News - 6h
Jets' D.J. Reed admits he's ready to move on from New York after 2024 season

One Jets player definitely won't be back in 2025
CBS Sports - 22h
The Canadian Tennis Champ Who Played Through Cancer Treatment

Gabriela Dabrowski was diagnosed with breast cancer in April. She won an Olympic medal and the year-end doubles title while undergoing treatment.
The New York Times - 1d
Djokovic and Kyrgios beaten in doubles in Brisbane

Novak Djokovic and Nick Kygrios are narrowly beaten in the second round of the doubles at the Brisbane International.
BBC News - 1d
Kyrgios shrugs off lingering wrist pain in tight doubles loss with Djokovic

Djokovic double fault at 8-6 disastrous for star pairing Kyrgios heads home to ponder Australian Open return A fluent and upbeat Nick Kyrgios shrugged off the pain in his surgically repaired ...
The Guardian - 1d

More from The Guardian

FBI looking into potential connection between New Orleans attack and Las Vegas incident – live

Officials have not established a link between the New Orleans truck attack and an exploded Cybertruck outside a Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas. New Orleans attack: investigators seek more ...
The Guardian - 12m
‘Safe zone’ among areas targeted as Israeli airstrikes kill at least 43 in Gaza

Director general of Gaza police among 11 reportedly killed in al-Mawasi encampment, designated a civilian safe zone. . Israeli airstrikes killed at least 43 Palestinians across the Gaza Strip on ...
The Guardian - 1h
German officials call for clampdown on illegal ‘firework bombs’ after five deaths

Explosives brought in from Poland and the Czech Republic are combined with household items for a bigger bang. German officials have called for a clampdown on illegally imported and homemade ...
The Guardian - 3h
Italy presses Iran for immediate release of journalist held in Tehran

Foreign ministry summons ambassador as Cecilia Sala reportedly tells family she sleeps on floor of prison cell. Italy’s foreign ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador on Wednesday and urged the ...
The Guardian - 1h
South Korea plane crash: police raid Muan airport and Jeju Air office

Pressure builds on authorities to establish cause of crash which killed 179 people. Police in South Korea have raided Muan international airport, the scene of Sunday’s plane crash , in which 179 ...
The Guardian - 6h

More in World

Thursday Briefing: An Attack in New Orleans

Plus, fitness goals beyond weight loss.
The New York Times - 9m
Rangers v Celtic: Scottish Premiership – live

Scottish Premiership updates from the 3pm GMT kick-off Live scores | Latest table | And mail Michael any thoughts Peeeeeeeeeep! We’re underway in Glasgow.. There is a minute’s silence ...
The Guardian - 11m
FBI looking into potential connection between New Orleans attack and Las Vegas incident – live

Officials have not established a link between the New Orleans truck attack and an exploded Cybertruck outside a Trump-owned hotel in Las Vegas. New Orleans attack: investigators seek more ...
The Guardian - 12m
Mikel Arteta battles injury crisis amid Arsenal’s crammed January schedule

Gunners must negotiate nine matches this month but manager says squad is one of the ‘thinnest’ in the top flight. It was at this stage of last season that Arsenal took the opportunity to decamp to ...
The Guardian - 12m
Biggest trackway of dinosaur footprints found in Oxfordshire quarry

Cetiosauruses and a megalosaurus are thought to have left prints at trackway dating to nearly 166m years ago. Gary Johnson was clearing clay with a digger at the Oxfordshire quarry where he works ...
The Guardian - 14m

}